Makan Winkle Chothe’s rise in 3 short years takes everyone by storm
Gaurs recent recruit – Makan Winkle Chothe, a young and pacy winger from Manipur, has been a standout performer in the previous I-League and the youth league seasons.
Makan Winkle Chothe has taken the Indian footballing fraternity by storm over the last three years. The winger, who never had a formal training background until selected by Minerva through a trial in 2017, has over the last few seasons impressed all and sundry with his brilliance on the wings.
Within the space of the last three seasons, the 20-year-old Manipuri has gone on to lift the Hero Elite Youth League, score in the I-League and play on the continental stage for his club. This, however, is just the beginning of the road for the youngster, reckons he himself. Chothe has set his sights even higher.
“I was surprised, you can say ecstatic. It didn’t take much to convince me either,” says the ever-gleeful Makan Winkle Chothe after penning a three-year contract with FC Goa. “I didn’t want to tell anyone. I didn’t even tell my parents that FC Goa wanted to sign me. They only got to know after all the paperwork was finished. I am thrilled.”
Chothe’s signing represents the Gaurs’ 3rd new capture of the season, following the arrivals of Redeem Tlang and Sanson Pereira. The move also magnifies the club’s methodology of finding young talents across the country and giving them a platform to shine on.
It was only a few years ago that the name of Makan Winkle Chothe was unknown to both fans as well as scouts alike. In fact, it was a social media post in 2017 that changed the life of the 20-year-old. “I had never been formally educated in training. In my village in Purum Chumbang in Manipur, I used to play the game after school and during holidays. The game came quite naturally to me,” remarks Chothe, looking back.
Having completed his Class 10 exams, the then teenager made a move to Siliguri in West Bengal, where he joined a club called Kanchenjunga FC. His stay there, though, was short lived. “It was a post on Facebook. Minerva Academy was having trials for their team and I convinced my uncle to get me to Punjab,” recalls Chothe. “I had real faith in my abilities, and I really wanted to give this a try.”
The rest, as they say, is history.
The coaches in Minerva knew that they had a talent on their hands and quickly snapped him up. In his very first season, Makan shined, scoring 35 goals in just 13 games for Minerva as they clinched the national crown in the tournament organised by Reliance Foundation Youth Sports.
One season later, he would again prove to be the talisman as Minerva became champions of the Hero Elite League. By then, Makan had already been drafted into their senior set-up with his debut coming at the fag end of the 2017/18 season when he came on as a last-minute substitute. He would have a more telling impact on the I-League a season later, featuring 11 times for the Minerva in 2018/19 season.
Speaking on his steep rise up the club ladder, the Cristiano Ronaldo fan stated, “I feel it’s a result of hard work and the belief that my coaches and peers have had in me. I started doing well in the youth tournaments, but I was never satisfied with them and wanted to make a mark at the senior level. “I was able to do that last season, and now with this move, I feel I have the opportunity to take the next step. I get a chance to play with the best in the country as well as against them now.”
“I want to give my best for FC Goa and make it to the national team as soon as possible.”
Also Read: In Mumbai Football, competition is good while in Bengaluru, the intensity is higher – Aniket Panchal
For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 1 Preview: Playoffs fever grips the ISL as Odisha FC host Kerala Blasters FC with a semi-final spot at stake
Bhubaneswar, April 18: Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters FC will face each other in the first match of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs at the Kalinga Stadium in…
Ivan Vukomanovic: Seeing Kerala Blasters FC players shine for the national team gives me great satisfaction
Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic is into his third season in the Indian Super League (ISL) and he has naturally overseen the rise of multiple young players who…
Attacking talents flourish, defensive stability define league’s best: ISL 2023-24 Statistical Breakdown
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 league stages rounded off with Mohun Bagan Super Giant becoming the League Champions for the first time in the history of the competition. They…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MYJGMSC Crowned Champions with a dramatic win over MH Oranje FC
In the heart of Mumbai’s football scene, MYJGMSC achieved a remarkable feat by becoming champions of the Mumbai Premier League in their debut season itself. This is no small accomplishment,…
I-League 2: MH Oranje FC’s decisive away game ends in a draw against United SC
A late goal from Sanchit Singh gave MH Oranje FC a breath of fresh life with the draw ensuring the relegation battle against United SC continues till the final day…
MH Oranje FC Gears Up for a Final Push in the MFA Premier League
MH Oranje FC’s Intense Final Stretch: Pursuing MFA Premier League Glory As the MFA Premier League 2023-24 season reaches its climax, MH Oranje FC is gearing up for an intense…
Indian Super League announces tentative venues for the 2023 – 2024 Final
Mumbai, April 23: The Indian Super League (ISL) today announced that the 2023-24 season final scheduled on Saturday, 4th May will be played at the home ground of the higher ranked team in the…
Odisha FC strike first blow with 2-1 comeback win in semis against Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Bhubaneswar, April 23: Odisha FC secured a 2-1 victory against the Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar in the first leg of their semi-final fixture…
Intrigue and rivalry heats up as FC Goa bank on positive momentum to stop Mumbai City FC in their tracks
Goa, April 23: FC Goa will host Mumbai City FC in the first leg of their semi-final fixture of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 on April 24, Wednesday, at 7:30…
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 2 Preview – Playoff Fever: FC Goa Hosts Chennaiyin FC in High-Stakes Knockout Battle
Goa, April 19: The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs reach a fever pitch as FC Goa prepares to host Chennaiyin FC in a high-stakes knockout clash at the iconic…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…